BYU vs Cincinnati Prediction 3/3/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The BYU Cougars and the Cincinnati Bearcats meet Tuesday in college basketball action from the Fifth Third Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a BYU Cougars vs. Cincinnati Bearcats prediction.

BYU Cougars Recap

The BYU Cougars come into this game looking to bounce back from a 79-71 loss at the hands of West Virginia last time out to sit at 20-9 this season. After this game, BYU will head home for their regular season finale against Texas Tech.

Cougars Lose 3 Of Last 4

AJ Dybantsa leads the Cougars in scoring with 25.1 PPG along with 6.8 RPG and 3.8 APG while Robert Wright III has 18.1 PPG with 3.6 RPG and a team-high 4.9 APG to lead BYU in assists and to cap off the pair of active double-digit scorers for BYU up to this point in the year. Keba Keita has 6.3 PPG with a team-high 6.9 RPG to lead BYU in rebounding this season. Kennard Davis Jr. also has 7.8 PPG as well this season. As a team, BYU is averaging 85.5 PPG on 48% shooting from the field, 35.2% from three and 74.6% from the foul line this season.

Cincinnati Bearcats Recap

The Cincinnati Bearcats come into this game looking to add on to their 91-68 win over Oklahoma State last time out to sit at 16-13 this season. After this game, Cincinnati will head on the road for a game against TCU.

Bearcats Win 5 Of Last 6

Baba Miller leads the Bearcats in scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double per game with 13.7 PPG and 10 RPG along with 3.6 APG while Moustapha Thiam has 12.6 PPG with 6.7 RPG. Jizzle James has 11.1 PPG with 2.4 RPG and 2.2 APG and Day Day Thomas has 11.4 PPG with 3.2 RPG and a team-high 3.4 APG to lead Cincinnati in assists and to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Cincinnati so far this season. As a team, Cincinnati is averaging 73.2 PPG on 43.1% shooting from the field, 32.9% from three and 67.9% from the foul line so far this season.

BYU Cougars @ Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Trends: March 3, 2026

Why the Cincinnati Bearcats will win

• Cincinnati has won eight of its last nine home games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• BYU has lost five of its last six road games.
• Cincinnati has won the first half in each of its last 12 games against Conference opponents at Fifth Third Arena.

Why the BYU Cougars will win

• BYU has won 24 of its last 27 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Cincinnati’s last seven night games at Fifth Third Arena have produced a total of 151 or fewer points.
• Five of BYU’s last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 169+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Cincinnati ranks 15th among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (2.4).
• Cincinnati ranks 22nd among Division 1 teams for defensive rating this season (98.5).
• BYU ranks 21st among Division 1 teams for points per game this season (85.0).
• BYU ranks 22nd among Division 1 teams for field goals made per game this season (29.9).

BYU Cougars vs. Cincinnati Bearcats Prediction

I’m on the Bearcats here. I have serious concerns for BYU with their injury situation and the depth that’s going along with that, and that could rear it’s ugly head here against a Bearcats team that has been far better at home this season and when you add in the added factor of senior night in the final home game of the season, I think the Fifth Third Arena is going to be on fire and Cincinnati benefits from that here. Give me the Bearcats.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Cincinnati -1.5